Tag Archives: san diego

Home Safety To-Do List

Posted on July 14, 2012 | Leave a comment

Summer is a great time to tackle those home-improvement projects, such as painting the dining room or installing new curtains. Why not add a few to-dos that will make your house safer from threats such as fire and flooding? These projects don’t require much time or money, and they could help you avoid having to make a homeowners insurance claim in the future.

Check plumbing for leaks in the kitchen, the bathrooms, and the laundry room

Cost: Free
Time: Up to an hour
Materials needed: None
Why you should do it: The largest number of homeowners insurance claims are due to water damage caused by broken pipes and supply lines, says Joe Wagdy, Auto Club claims unit manager. If you catch a leak early on, you can have the plumbing repaired before the drip becomes a deluge. Check everywhere, from the water heater to behind the refrigerator to inside the toilet tank; any faulty connection can lead to flooding.

Inspect all electric cords in your house

Cost: Free, or $30–$50 if you need new cords or surge protectors
Time: 30 minutes
Materials needed: New surge protectors and cords, if necessary
Why you should do it: Damaged electric cords and overloaded outlets can cause failure to the fixture, appliance, or receptacle they are connected to. Since power strips and extension cords tend to be hidden behind large pieces of furniture, many people don’t see the safety hazard until it’s too late. Be sure to check behind entertainment centers, computer desks, and anywhere else you use a lot of electronics, and replace damaged cords. If you find that circuit breakers in your home trip periodically, evaluate outlets and power strips to make sure they are not overloaded. If you have more than two fixtures or appliances plugged into one outlet, use surge protectors.

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SPU Working with Small Business Owners to Save Energy, Money

Posted on July 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

Seattle Public Utilities expanding Get on the Map program for minorities who own small businesses.

Exequiel Soltero had two reasons for taking advantage of Seattle Public Utilities’ latest green initiative: the prospect of saving money and improving his Mexican restaurant’s recycling practices.

Called Get on the Map, the Seattle utility has spent the last year working with ethnic minorities such as Soltero who own a small business to make changes, such as installing an energy-efficient dishwasher, faucet and toilet, to save energy and money.

Soltero says he has saved an additional $1,250 on his garbage bill by recycling and composting at Maya’s, his Rainier Valley restaurant. His 16 employees have been trained to separate waste according to material — paper, bottles and cans, glass and cardboard — instead of “dumping all the trash in the disposal or the garbage.”

The restaurant also composts all food scraps in a bin.

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Five Inexpenisive Updates for a Small Bathroom

Posted on July 11, 2012 | Leave a comment

Five ways to make a smaller bath more livable without spending thousands:

1. Showerheads

Pamper yourself with a unit that offers spray and massage. In most showers, the switch is as easy as unscrewing the old showerhead and twisting on a new one.

Will this add value to your property? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your value questions.

2. Shower curtains and doors

Some shower curtains have pockets to stash lotions, loofahs and other accessories. For a more upscale look, try hinged or sliding doors that secure to the top of the tub. Choose from clear, smoked or etched glass.